The School Opening Ceremony for the First Confucianism Doctoral Candidates of the Joint Graduate School of Nishan World Center for Confucian Studies was held on September 29th, in Qufu, Shandong, marking the official launch of the training of special high-caliber talent in Confucian studies. 

　　Sun Yao, Member of the Leading Party Members Group and Vice Minister of the Ministry of Education, pointed out at the opening ceremony that General Secretary Xi Jinping put forward the major arguments of "the two combinations” in his important speech delivered on July 1, voicing sincere expectations for the young people. The doctoral program of the Joint Graduate School of Nishan World Center for Confucian Studies is a strategic move and groundbreaking action to bring a change to the shortage of high-level talents in Confucianism research and dissemination, and in promoting the creative development and innovative transformation of fine traditional Chinese culture.

　　Wang Xinfu, Member of the Leading Party Members Group and Vice Governor of Shandong Provincial Government, emphasized that the Shandong Provincial Party Committee and the Provincial Government firmly keep in mind the entrustment of General Secretary Xi Jinping and resolutely shoulder the responsibilities of a province with rich cultural resources. The Joint Graduate School of Nishan World Center for Confucian Studies is responsible for cultivating high-level talents in Confucianism. To fulfill its important mission, Shandong will step up support for joint students training and provide a full range of service in terms of platform construction and talent cultivation.

　　Jin Nuo, Party Secretary of Renmin University of China, Director of Nishan World Center for Confucian Studies and President of Joint Graduate School of Nishan World Center for Confucian Studies expressed hopes in her speech that students should build consensus, step up a sense for the country, rise up to their responsibilities in national rejuvenation so as to contribute intelligence and strength to promoting the soft power and international profile of the Chinese culture. 

　　Wang Xinqing, vice president of the University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said in a speech on behalf of participating universities that the Joint Graduate School of Nishan World Center for Confucian Studies undertakes the task of cultivating professionals in Confucianism that meets the needs of the times. As one of the participating universities, the University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, under the leadership of the joint graduate school, will promote the world-oriented education and research of Confucianism, and open up a new path for the cultivation of postgraduate education in China.

　　Student representative Jia Xi said that as a Confucianism doctoral candidate in the new era, he will engage in academic explorations and innovative research as a responsible member of the academic community, in an effort to preserve the cultural tradition of the Chinese nation. 

　　The Joint Graduate School of Nishan World Center for Confucian Studies is a state-sponsored new type of graduate school, which includes 10 participating schools, namely the Party School of the Central of the CPC (National Academy of Governance), University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Peking University, Tsinghua University, Renmin University of China, Fudan University, Shandong University, Sichuan University, Wuhan University, Sun Yat-sen University, breaking new grounds in the training of postgraduate students through concerted efforts. 

　　School opening ceremony for the first Confucianism doctoral candidates of the Joint Graduate School of Nishan World Center for Confucian Studies marked the beginning of efforts to train high-level talents in Confucian studies.